Welcome!

Overview

License

The Linwood Community Daycare (LCD) is licensed by the West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources.

Mission Statement

Linwood Community Daycare is a not-for-profit facility, partnering with families, Pocahontas Episcopal Ministries and the community. We encourage educational and developmental growth for children using a warm, loving, creative approach. We enrich the lives of children with multi-cultural and diverse socio-economic backgrounds by focusing on the individual needs of each child. We strive for excellence using innovative early childhood learning experiences.

Linwood Learning Adventures is an extension of Linwood Community Daycare, added in August 2014 to meet the needs of our growing children.  The objective of this program is to offer year round education support for children ages 3 and up.

Philosophy& Goals

Linwood Community Daycare started as a grass roots movement in 2011 and formed its official Board of Directors in 2012.  The facility, which opened to children in the summer of 2013, seeks to provide a warm, caring environment for children and to strengthen and support the nuclear family. By providing some of the same enriching experiences and learning opportunities historically offered by the extended family, the childcare environment can supplement the family’s care and education of its children through careful attention to program and active encouragement of family partnerships and communication.

In order to provide this quality of service to our children and parents, the LCD has several specific goals:

First, LCD will offer a planned program that encourages both social and intellectual development. To achieve this, the program will be designed to meet the developmental needs of children at each age level and will be responsive to the unique patterns of each child’s individual growth. The teaching staff assesses each child’s individual development and provides appropriate activities in each classroom to support continued growth.

Second, LCD will seek to keep the child’s family as the central unit in his/her care. By encouraging the family’s participation in our program and by sharing our understanding of the child’s growth and development, we will help both parent and child to integrate their childcare and home experiences. Parents are always welcome in our program and encouraged to participate in varied ways in the life of the Daycare.

Finally, teachers at LCD will work to create an atmosphere of acceptance and respect for each child. Children will be encouraged to express their feelings in effective ways. They will learn to trust that their wishes and needs will be recognized while coming to an understanding of how they will have an impact on others. Our goal is to help the child feel confident about him/herself and competent in his/her relationships with others.

Staff Requirements

We strive to provide the best care possible for your children.  The staff works together to create a loving and productive environment for your child. In addition to having compassionate and creative personalities, we require all staff meet the following requirements prior to working in the daycare:

• 4 year Degree in early childcare OR equal experience working with young children
• First Aid & CPR Certification 
• Fingerprinted background screenings
• Child Protective services screening
• 12 hours of childcare continuing education coursework per year
• Food handler’s license
• Current medical forms completed with TB test
• Participation in a program addressing child abuse and neglect
• SIDS and Shaken Baby Training

Our child to staff ratio is at minimum:

Under age 2:             1 staff: 4 children
Ages 2-6:                   1 staff: 6 children

Substitutes and Volunteers

Substitutes and volunteers will be hired based on the requirements outlined in the legislative rules for the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources: Child care centers licensing.

Registration/Enrollment Fees

Pre-registration form

A pre-registration form for each child including the registration fee ($50 per child) must be completed to reserve a space in the program. Forms and fees are required prior to enrollment.

Waiting List

If there is no available space for a child in a classroom, a waiting list is formed. Children on the waiting list will be notified, if space in their age group becomes available, based on the order in which they were put on the list.   After being notified, you have 2 weeks for your child to begin attending.  If your child does not begin attending in the time given, he/she will be moved to the bottom of the list. Waiting lists will be updated yearly on January 1.

Enrollment Packet

Completed forms checklist – one for each child enrolled:

o   Registration Form

o   Tuition Agreement

o   Immunization Record (SUPPLIED BY PHYSICIAN)

o   Permission to give medication form (if needed)

o   Emergency Medical Forms

o   Signed Agreement of Understanding/ Photo Release (last page of this document)

The entire enrollment packet is due before the child’s first day in attendance at the center.

Tuition & Fees

Current tuition rates are as follows and subject to change with a two (2) week notice.

Rates

Full Time: All Ages - $135/week 

• Guaranteed Space Monday – Friday
• 2 Weeks’ unpaid vacation per year – after 6 months of full time care – see “Vacation/ Sick day policy for more details
• Includes K+ Program

 Part Time Child (all ages) - $35 per day

• 48 hour notice & current paperwork required
• Spaces limited (based on staffing availability) NOT GUARANTEED
• Subject to change at any time.

Drop In (any age) - $40

• Less than 48 hour notice given
• Does not include the K+ Program  
• Space based on availability 

 Volunteer Discounts - $10/ 2 hours of volunteer work

• 2 hours/ Week of Volunteering = 1 day of reduced drop in rate per family
• Hours to be worked prior to discount received.
• 48 hour notice & current paperwork required
• Spaces limited (based on staffing availability) 
• Subject to change at any time.

Late Pick Up Fee

The center closes at 5:30 pm. A late pick up fee of $ 1.00 per every minute late will apply. You will be expected to pay this fee immediately upon picking up your child. Please notify us as soon as possible if you are running late. If by 5:30 p.m. we have not heard from a parent or designated person, "Emergency Contact" numbers will be called to arrange for an alternate pick up.

Payments

• Payments are accepted in cash or check. Payments are due before service is rendered.  Due date is Friday before 5:30 pm for the following week. Payments made after 5:30 p.m. Friday will have a $15 fee added.
• If a check is returned, you will be charged $25 plus full tuition, status is considered to be non- payment of fees and child may not attend daycare until payment received. Payment must be met within 72 hours of notification. 
• If payment is received within 72 hours, child may return to daycare. If payment is not received within 72 hours, child is discharged from daycare. Only cash or certified checks will be accepted for future payments.

Withdrawal & Discharge Policy

A two week notice is required if you plan to withdraw your child from LCD. This gives the daycare the opportunity to fill your child’s spot.  Payments already made in excess of two (2) weeks from the date of notice may be refunded.

We reserve the right to discharge your child if any of the following conditions apply:

• Payments are not current.
• Forms or immunizations are not complete; information is not true or updated.
• Child is not or will not be benefiting from program. (Sole discretion of the director)
• Child causes a threat to other children or staff.
• LCD’s policies are not being followed.

Security

Security

The LCD is equipped with up to 16 video cameras on the exterior and interior of the building.  These cameras are for the safety of the children and the staff.  Exits into the Linwood Library remain locked at all time except when the children are visiting the library for a special program.  Our main entrance will also be locked from the exterior during business hours.  To enter you will need to knock and be verified by a staff member on the security monitor before gaining access.

Check-in and Check-out

It is required, by state law, that all parents sign their child in and out each day. For your convenience, a sign in/out sheet, pen, and a clock are located by the door.  This gives us a written record of the child's attendance, hours, and the person who brought/picked up the child each day.  Pick up persons must be listed on your enrollment forms and may be amended at any time. Photo identification is required for all pick ups.

Open Door policy

LCD has an “Open Door” policy. Parents/ guardians are welcome to call or stop by to check in with your child at any time.  We also ask that if your child has separation anxiety at drop off, that you call or discreetly check in though the windows.

Daily Operations

Hours of Operation

Opening time for LCD is 7:30 a.m. and pickup time is no later than 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Parents will be responsible for putting their child’s belongings in their classroom and for taking them home. Children will have individual cubbies with their daily work and notes from the teacher. Please be sure to check your child’s cubby on a daily basis. Parents will pick their child/children up at the door and will walk their child to the car. All children will be required to be in a car seat when they leave LCD.

Vacations & Sick Days

• Tuition payments remain the same when a child is out because of a sickness. There will be no deductions or credits for individual days.
• Each child or family is allowed two weeks vacation per year after six (6) months of enrollment. During these weeks, parents will not be responsible for payment. Please inform staff at least two weeks prior to your vacation week.
• Vacations must be taken in one-week segments, not less than five (5) consecutive days. Vacation time may be taken prior to six (6) months enrollment but the weekly fee will still need to be paid.
• Reminder:  If your child is out for two (2) consecutive weeks on vacation, payment for the following week is due on the Friday before the child's return.

Holidays

The center will be closed to observe the following holidays:

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day

Bad Weather

• In the event of school delays and closings the LCD will do its best to operate as usual.  All parents will be contacted no later than 6 a.m. if staff is unable to make it to work.
• In the event of power failures or other extenuating circumstances resulting in the need to dismiss the daycare, all reasonable efforts to contact parents will be made.

** Tuition payments are not reduced because of a holiday or closings**

Daily Routine

Daily Schedule

It is up to you as the parent to decide when your child is dropped off and picked up every day. However, our scheduled programming portion of the day is 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  If you chose to drop off after 8:30 a.m. in the morning or pick up before 4 p.m. in the afternoon, your child may miss out on a portion of that day’s activities.

Meals

Snack fee of $15 is due at the first of every month.

Parents are required to provide a lunch for their child. In an effort to see that all children eat meals that promote a healthy lifestyle and that the meals contain the nutrition needed to grow and learn, the West Virginia Child Care Nutrition Program has set food policy requirements for children 2-5 years.  Following are those requirements:

Breakfast/Lunch: Must Provide ALL of the following

• Grain/ Bread
• Fruit
• Vegetable
• Meat/ Meat Alternative
• Milk/ dairy/dairy alternative

Beverages

• Milk must be 1% or lower for children over 2 years of age
• NO juice or other sugar sweeten beverages permitted
• LCD will provide water to children throughout the day

If you would like assistance please ask, we are happy to help!!!

All foods must be ready to eat (pre cut into pieces small enough for your child) and may not require any additional preparation by the staff.  

High sugar cakes, cookies, candy, sodas, hot dogs and other high sugar or saturated fat foods may not be sent to Linwood Community Daycare at any time.  Failure to follow the guidelines outlined above will result in a meal fee so that the nutritional guidelines can be met.

If your child arrives before 8:00 a.m. you must provide a breakfast meal to be served. If you are going to pick up after 5:00 p.m. you must provide an additional snack.

Birthdays & Special Occasions

Parents are welcome to send a "treat" to share on their child's birthday. This “treat” must follow the guidelines above or be a non-food item such as stickers.  Balloons are not permitted at any time.

Nap & Rest Time

Children are required to participate in nap/rest time each day. For those who do not nap, we will provide quiet “re-charge” activities to give them some down time.

LCD provides individual cots. Each child's name will be clearly labeled on their cot so that they are using the same cot each day. Parents must provide a sheet or blanket and a pillow (if needed). These items will be sent home weekly to be washed and returned. Please label anything your child brings from home.

Clothing

• Children should wear comfortable clothes & footwear suitable for indoor and outdoor wear. The center will not be responsible for clothing.
• All clothing should be marked with the child's name for identification. This includes coats and sweaters worn daily.
• All children must have a change of clothes and shoes at the center at all times. Children under the age of three (3) years old may need several outfits. If your child has an accident at the center and does not have a change of clothes, you will be called to bring a change immediately.
• To make bathroom times easier on both the child and staff, please avoid clothing with complicated snaps, zippers, ties and buttons. Elastic waist pants are suggested.
• We also ask parents to provide from home some sort of old "DAD SHIRT" this will be used as a smock for messy projects. Please label anything brought from home.

Activities

The Linwood Community Daycare provides plenty of play equipment for each child. Please do not send toys or games from home. However, stuffed animals or "comfort" objects can be used. We will try to restrict these to use at nap/rest time. Please do not allow child to bring any valuables such as money or jewelry from home.  We cannot be responsible if items are lost.

Outdoor Time

Weather permitting an outdoor play area is provided for the children with age appropriate playground toys.

Curriculum

Linwood Learning Adventures is our educational program for children over the age of 2 years old.  Our program is a year round academic program.  August through May we run our home school co-op program for board of education reporting purposes.  During the months of June and July we operate our camping curriculum that build on and reinforces our progressive academic programming. 

Discipline

Linwood Community Daycare staff and volunteers will follow the discipline policy, listed below, at all times:

• Redirect any unruly child and get him/her interested in an alternative activity.
• If the unruly behavior continues, we distract him/her again and explain why he cannot behave in that manner.
• If the child persists, we warn him/her that he/she will be put in "time-out" if he/she misbehaves one more time.
• Oops! Time-out! One minute per age of the child. (five (5) years old = five (5) minutes)  Children under the age of three (3) are not to be put in time out.  If a child is put into time out for any reason it must be documented.  Disciplinary forms are to be filled out and kept with the child’s paperwork.
• Children in timeout will always be visible. 
• No staff member is to physically reprimand any child. Punishment and threats may not be associated with food, rest, isolation or toileting. 
• No discipline shall be administered that is severe or humiliating.
• Accepting parental permission to use physical punishment or other actions is prohibited.
• Children may not be disciplined by other children.
• Restraining a child by any means other than a firm grasp around a child’s arms or legs and then only for as long as necessary for the child to regain control, is prohibited.
• If the unruly behavior persists the parents will be contacted.

Infants and Toddlers

Feeding

Parents are responsible to provide enough prepared bottles, jarred food, or dry cereal for each day the child is in our care.

• Formula/milk shall be prepared at the child’s home and placed in an assembled unbreakable bottle unit before being brought to the center.
• Each bottle and nipple supplied shall be used for a single feeding only.
• Each bottle will be labeled with child’s name and date.
• If items require refrigeration, please provide a cooler that will stay cold through the day.
• Formula and milk left in the bottle will be discarded at the end of the feeding.
• Every bottle will be washed out and sent home daily for sterilizing.
• All dry cereal and jarred food will be marked with child’s name and date.

Supplies

Parents will provide all of the following:

• 2 sets of bedding (mini crib mattress size sheets)
• Change of clothes
• Bibs
• Diapers – large quantities may be provided
• Pull-ups – large quantities may be provided
• Wipes – large quantities may be provided
• Any lotion, balms, powders, or medication

      (Permission to medicate form must be completed).

Medical

Forms

All medical forms must be current and complete. It is the parent’s responsibility to immediately inform staff of any medical changes that occur. For the protection of other children and staff, a sick child should be kept home or have alternate care.

Illnesses

We will not accept children with the following conditions:

• Fever (100°f or higher) – child needs to be fever free for 24 hours WITHOUT the aid of medication
• Diarrhea – child must be symptom free for 24 hours WITHOUT the aid of medication
• Vomiting – child must be symptom free for 24 hours WITHOUT the aid of medication
• Runny nose with colored discharge –check with doctor
• Rash – check with doctor
• Discharge from eyes or ears
• Lice – child needs to be treated and nits removed before return
• Communicable Diseases – Chicken pox, measles, mumps, conjunctivitis (pink eye), influenza etc. The child may return when the incubation and contagious period is passed and the child is well enough to resume normal childcare activities.

If a child becomes ill during the day, parents will be contacted and expected to pick up child as soon as possible. Meanwhile sick child will be cared for while isolated from other children. When the child is no longer contagious and is healthy enough to actively play with other children he or she may come back to LCD This helps protects the health and well being of all the children at the LCD, and enables us to provide the best possible environment for the children.

Medication

Please give directly to a staff member any medication your child may be taking. Please include:

• Original bottle or packaging with child’s name on it
• Original amount of medication in the bottle of package
• Dosage
• Times to be administered
• Doctors name and phone number

Permission to administer medication form must be complete and updated.

Emergency procedures

LCD will develop and maintain an emergency file with information (provided by the parent) on each enrolled child. This file will be accessible to all staff members at all times.

LCD will develop, implement and maintain a policy and procedures plan for responding to an emergency. This plan will be reviewed with the parents at their orientation and with the staff at their initial orientation and every three months thereafter. In the event of an emergency, staff will follow the procedures as outlined in this plan. Parents will be able to review this plan at any time. This plan will be prominently placed in the classroom and address the following:

• Medical emergencies
• Weather emergencies
• Road Closings
• Fire
• Evacuation plans
• Natural disasters
• Other situations posing a threat to the children

Parents must make sure that all emergency contact information and instructions are kept up to date.

Fire Safety and Evacuation/Disaster Plan

The LCD’s fire safety and evacuation/disaster plan will be posted next to the telephone in the center. Children will be transported to the Inn at Snowshoe in the event of a disaster requiring evacuation.

Fire drills will be conducted at least two (2) times a month during regular hours of operation.

Additional Information

Appropriate Behavior

All staff, parents and children are expected to communicate and act in an appropriate manner while on the property.  Incidents will be reviewed and discussed with those involved.  Failure to exhibit professional and age appropriate behavior will result in suspension or expulsion from the program and property in the sole discretion on the Director.  Appropriate behavior for staff, parents and children include but is not limited to: the use of “child friendly” language (profanity/cursing is prohibited), mild temperament, and appropriate attire. 

Non-Discrimination Policy

Linwood Community Daycare admits students of any gender, race, color, nationality and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally afforded or made available to students at the school. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, nationality and ethnic origin in administration of our educational policies, admission policies or programs.

Mandatory Reporter

As a staff member caring for children, you are a “Mandatory Reporter of Child Abuse and Neglect”.  This means that you are required by law to report any suspicious actions or markings on children in your care that might suggest child abuse or neglect.  ALERT THE LCD OPERATOR OF YOUR SUSPICIONS.  You should call the Child Abuse & Neglect HOTLINE at 1-800-352-6513 within 24 hours.